Trip to the Maldives

The list adapts to you

When you add it, the checklist asks a couple of questions and keeps only the items that fit your situation.

• Traveling with kids? NoYes

What's inside

1. Check your passport validity

   The Maldives grants a free visa on arrival, but your passport should have 6 months of validity to be safe (the formal minimum can be less — don't cut it close).

2. File the Imuga declaration within 72h of departure

   The traveller declaration at imuga.immigration.gov.mv is required for entry and exit; it's free and online. Requirements change — verify before flying.

3. Do NOT bring alcohol or pork — it gets confiscated

   The Maldives is a Muslim country: importing alcohol (even duty-free!) and pork is banned, and arrival bags are X-rayed. Your duty-free bag will be seized — alcohol is legally sold only at resorts.

4. Insurance covering snorkeling and diving

   The nearest real hospital may be in Malé — hours away. An uninsured seaplane evacuation costs as much as the holiday. Make sure diving and water sports are written into the policy.

5. Check your connection: seaplanes fly daylight only

   If your resort transfer is by seaplane and you land in the evening, you're overnighting in Malé. Match your arrival time to the transfer window and pre-book a Malé/Hulhumalé room if it doesn't fit.

6. Bring small USD bills for tips

   Resorts charge everything to the villa, but staff tips are cash: a couple of dollars for porters and housekeeping, more for your regular waiter at the end. You'll barely need rufiyaa at all.

7. Make copies of your documents

   Passport and booking photos to cloud storage. There's nowhere on the islands to replace lost documents.

8. Pack a COMPLETE first aid kit — islands have no pharmacies

   A resort island has no pharmacy and no shop — only what you brought. Fever reducer, painkiller, sorbent, rehydration salts, antiseptic, plasters, swimmer's ear drops (a common one), and all your regular meds with a buffer.

9. Seasickness pills for boat transfers

   Speedboats over open water rock even the sturdy, especially straight after a long flight. Take a pill half an hour before boarding.

10. Reef-safe sunscreen SPF 50

    Oxybenzone sunscreens kill coral — many resorts allow reef-safe (mineral) only. Equatorial sun + white sand + water: you burn in half an hour here.

11. Reef shoes

    Dead coral and rubble in the shallows cut feet, and stepping on a stonefish means hospital. Cheap water shoes solve both.

12. Bring your own mask and snorkel

    Resorts rent gear, but your own mask fits better and costs nothing. The house reef off your villa is half the point of the Maldives.

13. Remember: no taking coral or shells

    Exporting coral, shells and sand is banned and checked at departure. Souvenirs must be store-bought, with a receipt.

14. Local island dress code

    If you're staying on a local island (not a resort): bikinis only on the designated bikini beach; in the village, shoulders and knees stay covered. Local islands have no alcohol at all.

15. Ask your resort about drone rules

    Many resorts ban drones for guest privacy; some require permits. Email ahead so you don't haul it for nothing.

16. Adapter: sockets are usually type G

    The Maldives runs British type G sockets. Resorts often have universal outlets, but don't bet on it — pack an adapter.

17. Chargers and a power bank in carry-on

    Power banks go carry-on only (up to 100 Wh). Handy on long transfers and full-day excursions.

18. eSIM or a SIM at Malé airport

    Resort Wi-Fi is usually fine, but transfers and excursions have none. Ooredoo/Dhiraagu tourist SIMs sell in arrivals.

19. A light layer and long sleeves for evenings

    Evenings by the water get breezy, and mosquitoes show up after rain. Light long sleeves cover both; toss in repellent too.

20. Check in online for your flight

    Opens 24–36 hours out. It's a long flight — grab seats together at opening.

21. Kids' documents Yes

    Their own passport with validity buffer and their own Imuga declaration. Birth certificate if surnames differ.

22. Kids' first aid kit — doubled Yes

    Everything child-dose — fever reducer, tummy remedies, ear drops, thermometer — packed with extra: there is nowhere on the island to buy more.

23. Kids' water protection Yes

    UPF swim shirt, sun hat, kids' reef-safe SPF 50+, floaties or a vest, kids' water shoes. The lagoon is shallow but the sun over it is merciless.

24. Entertainment for the villa and flight Yes

    The island offers beach and nothing else: offline cartoons, books, small games, sand toys. Check ahead whether the resort has a kids' club and from what age.

25. Ask about the resort's kids' menu Yes

    All food comes from resort restaurants. Email ahead about the kids' menu, porridge and allergies — there's no popping out for alternatives.